New web series encourages more people to become plantitos and plantitas

There is a new online series that aims to encourage more people to become plantitos and plantitas by teaching them how to enhance their gardening skills and make available healthy, nutritious food in their own homes.

The series called “Kalye Mabunga” will run from July 17 to Sept. 24 every Friday at 8 p.m. on the Smart Communities Facebook page.

Each 10-minute episode will tackle topics such as choosing which vegetable, fruit, and herbs can be planted in an urban setting.

Urban dwellers, especially those with limited spaces, can learn about city space farming, garden maintenance, and proper habits.

Episodes on making gardening supplies out of recycled materials, as well as using plants for art projects, will also be featured to encourage parents to get their children interested in plants.

Aside from planting, viewers can also learn how to cook healthy vegetable dishes. An episode on medicinal herbs can help provide more natural remedies for common sicknesses.

Guests will also share best practices on how they successfully developed their own backyard farms.

In addition, the series will also feature special episodes for young kids to help educate them about food and farming and make them appreciate the value of agriculture even at a young age.

The “Kalye Mabunga” series is a joint project of Smart Communications and the Department of Agriculture–Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI) in support of the government’s ongoing Plant, Plant, Plant campaign, which encourages people to attain food security “at the household level.”

“As the COVID-19 pandemic hampered agricultural links to consumers, a number of Filipinos have developed an interest in urban farming and gardening,” said Smart in a press statement.

“While it may seem like a simple hobby that can be used to while away time during the crisis, learning how to grow food in our own backyards can significantly help sustain our own food needs in order to be more food secure,” it added. – RC, GMA News